So, I heard the news that Robbins Jewelers is closing down. It’s a big deal around here because they’ve been around forever, you know? I figured I’d take a trip to see what the fuss was all about, maybe snag a deal or two.
First off, I walked into the store. It was pretty crowded, as you’d expect. Everyone’s looking for that last-minute bargain. I started by just browsing around, checking out the different display cases. They had everything – rings, necklaces, bracelets, the whole nine yards. I noticed the prices were already marked down, some by quite a bit.
I got to talking with one of the staff. He told me the owners, some folks named Harvey and Maddy Rovinsky, are retiring. Nice people, apparently. They decided to hand the business over to their employees – a group of five who’ve been with them for ages. But now the sons want to retire too, I think it is Gordon and Jason Robbins.
Anyway, back to the deals. I spotted a ring that caught my eye. It was originally priced at $1,800, marked down to something less. I remembered reading somewhere that you should start negotiating at around 20% off the listed price. So, I did some quick math and offered $1,440. It was a bit of back and forth, but we eventually settled on a price. I was pretty happy with the result. Got a nice piece of jewelry and saved some money.
I also overheard some other customers talking about the history of the store. It sounds like it started in Philly way back when and has been a family business for generations. The staff seemed a bit sad about the closing, but also excited about their future. They were saying that Jerry, who used to run the store, passed away a few years back. It’s a bit sad for them.
After I made my purchase, I took one last look around. The store was still buzzing with people. Some were just looking, others were trying to negotiate their own deals. I left the store feeling like I got a good deal and a little piece of local history. It’s always a bit sad to see a long-standing business close, but at least the owners are going out on a high note and taking care of their employees.
- Walked into the store.
- Browsed around the display cases.
- Talked with a staff member about the owners retiring.
- Negotiated a price for a ring.
- Overheard other customers discussing the store’s history.
- Made the purchase and left the store.
I think I did a pretty good job. I didn’t rush into anything, did my research, and was polite but firm during the negotiation. Plus, I got to learn a bit about the store’s history, which was cool.
Well, that’s my little adventure at Robbins Jewelers. It’s the end of an era for them, but I’m glad I got to be a small part of it. I hope the employees do well in whatever they decide to do next, and I wish the Rovinsky family a happy retirement.
